The Old Town Cemetery Wildflower Walkway is a high-visibility beautification project along the Old Town Cemetery railing on Liberty Street and South Street in the City of Newburgh. It will transform an underutilized strip along the cemetery railing into a seasonal wildflower walkway that brings color, life, and care to one of Newburgh’s most historic public spaces.

The project has four goals. First, it will encourage residents and visitors to walk north along Liberty Street beyond South Street, toward under-pedestrianized blocks that include local businesses such as Blacc Vanilla and Happy Deli 2. A continuous wildflower edge can make the walk feel safer, more inviting, and more connected.

Second, it will draw attention to Old Town Cemetery, one of Newburgh’s important historic assets. The cemetery is rich with local lore, early American history, and distinctive architecture, yet many pedestrians pass by without fully noticing it. The planting will act as a visual invitation to see the cemetery as a place of history, beauty, and civic pride.

Third, the walkway will support pollinators and urban biodiversity by providing food and habitat for bees, butterflies, moths, and other beneficial insects.

Fourth, the project will bring together neighbors, youth volunteers, preservation advocates, local businesses, and community groups around a visible, achievable public improvement.

In addition to the wildflower meadow, nearby businesses on the west side of the block, including the laundromat and two delis, will receive large terracotta planters with boxwood, ivy, and seasonal marigolds. A sign will be installed on the cemetery railing, and a new trash can will be placed near Liberty Street and Gidney Avenue to support cleanliness.

Volunteers will remove litter, lightly prepare the soil, hand-broadcast a Northeast-adapted wildflower seed mix, and install the planters.